Cubs news: Even Craig Counsell can't believe Pete Crow-Armstrong's insane 2026 season

Pete Crow-Armstrong has reached an extraordinary level of performance, with a quiet night on the field and at the plate being an outlier for the Chicago Cubs center fielder. Despite the high standards held for him, he continues to deliver outstanding results. On Wednesday, Crow-Armstrong led the Cubs' offense with two home runs and drove in three runs, contributing to an 8-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves in a crucial rubber match of a three-game series.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledges the rarity of such brilliance and believes that Crow-Armstrong's 2026 season will be remembered as legendary. He emphasized that fans will recount such seasons to their children and grandchildren. Advanced statistics, such as WAR (Wins Above Replacement) from Fangraphs and Baseball Reference, confirm that Crow-Armstrong is having a historic 2026 season, with a WAR of 10.0 and 9.2, respectively.

He has already surpassed Kyle Schwarber in home runs and is third in RBIs, showcasing his elite offensive skills. Additionally, Crow-Armstrong's defensive abilities at center field are exceptional, covering significant ground and making routine and difficult plays appear effortless. His outstanding performance has propelled him into the NL MVP race, with a strong likelihood of winning the award.